Grand Mesa

Avalanche

Anonymous · Jan 5, 2014 · Grand Mesa

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Weather

Very cold: about -12C with NNW wind gusting to 20mph. Entire area skied is a NNE aspect, 8500' all the way up to Mamm Peak.

Snowpack

About 4" of fresh on top of faceted layer only 10" to 20" down. The higher you go, the better (drier) the snow. Definite wind slab forming above the aspens in open areas around 9,500' to 10,000' (and probably higher). No whumpfing, no collapsing at all. Ski pole penetration through faceted layer to ground very easily, though. Cause for alarm on steep slopes!

Avalanche

None seen; nowhere I went was steep enough (?) I hope.